I’ve had good luck with the camel bak reservoirs and the Platypus ones. I happen to like the Platypus big bite valve or whatever they call it. The plastic does wear over time and will develop a pinhole leak where it creases. The camel bak plastic is more rubbery and holds up good. Its less resistant to harsh treatment. I’ve punctured a couple performing “professional dismounts” while mountain biking. The camel bak on/off valve is good if I remember to use it. The insulated tubes are the way to go when its really cold out.
Insulated bottles and warm water are what I usually use when its cold. An insulated camel bak bottle with warm water will last an hour or more even well below freezing. Much like the rider above mentioned.
I used to put a tea bag or two in my reservoir with hot water, but not boiling hot, for long winter rides. The warmth feels good on your back and I love tea. I’m not that serious these days and my commute is a full hour at my slowest pace. So, I’m finding I don’t really drink much on the trip. In the summer heat I was guzzling a bottle before leaving and one during the trip. I sweat a lot when its hot out and was adjusting from a very arid high elevation environment to the high humidity low elevation environment this summer. Based on my urine production versus water intake I don’t sweat out as much water here as I did out west. Even though I am drenched when its hot. I would even wear long sleeves or sun sleeves out west and never have damp clothing. Crazy how nature does that
In Alaska and other cold places I used a camel back under my jacket with the hose routed under my arm pit and an insulated tube. If you drain the nipple after taking a sip it works in truly cold temperatures. If you forget and the hose or nipple freezes up you can stick in in your clothing to thaw.
My whisky flask has yet to freeze.
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